The race for the Stan Meads Cup semi-finals will go down to the wire, with three teams in each of the two sections, having an opportunity to qualify for the top four crossover playoffs next weekend.

A real battle will take place in section one, where Central (Rotorua) Bay of Plenty will host Eastern Bay of Plenty at Emery Park at Rotoiti Rugby Club headquarters.

With a win apiece and separated by a solitary point, the winner of the Bay of Plenty Sub-Union clash, will book a semi-final berth.

To give the encounter an extra edge, the Bay Sub-Union prize of the Te Hurinui Apanui Shield will be on the line.

While the form book would suggest, that defending Stan Meads champions Te Awamutu should defeat Thames Valley B and book a home semi-final – the Thames Valley team will be primed for combat.

In their first match the Valley side led Eastern Bay at half time, while they also put up a brave showing against Central Bay last weekend.

Te Awamutu will take the Peace Cup into the Heartland curtain raiser at the Paeroa Domain. The long-time Auckland provincial trophy has undergone a new lease of life, since becoming the Stan Meads Cup challenge trophy, which is on the line in the round robin play and crossover semi-finals.

Piako earned their place at the top of the section two standings, with a solid win over Western Bay of Plenty in the Western Bay last weekend.

The team that is centred on Morrinsville with support from Matamata and Cambridge, played no frill rugby to defeat Western Bay 34-20.

This week they meet Hamilton with the winner likely to book a home semi-final.

The failure of Western Bay, to take any bonus points from their match-up with Piako, could cost the Bay of Plenty side dearly.

Even if they defeat King Country B at Greerton Park in the Western Bay, they could still fail to qualify for the semi-finals.

The King Country visitors will be no pushover, as they gave Hamilton a huge fright last week leading by 10, with ten minutes remaining in the game.

Stan Meads Cup Draw September 1 – Week Three

Central Bay of Plenty v Eastern Bay of Plenty, Emery Park – 2.30pm

Thames Valley B v Te Awamutu, Paeroa Domain – 12.30pm

Western Bay of Plenty v King Country B, Greerton Park – 2.30pm

Piako v Hamilton, Campbell Park Melville – 2.30pm

Points Table

Section One: Te Awamutu 9, Eastern Bay of Plenty 6, Central BOP 5, Thames Valley B 0.

Section Two: Piako 9, Hamilton 7, Western BOP 5, King Country B 0.